Tag Archives: children’s violence to parents

A parent campaigning for recognition of child to parent violence and abuse within the legal system in the state of Florida, recently posted this video on youtube.

I am told that the animation was made with the full knowledge of the young person concerned, and that her mother, Heather, is keen that as many people view it and hear her story as possible. She would also like to hear from people who recognise her position and would like to join with her in lobbying the state legislature. Continue reading →

Please allow me a moment of self-indulgence as I celebrate 5 years of this website, Holes in the Wall, ‘born’ in May 2011 out of a desire to make a contribution to the understanding of children’s violence to parents, known sometimes as parent abuse. As a present to myself I have ordered shiny new postcards to leave with people at conferences and events, explaining how ‘Holes’ came about and how you can be part of the community!

For several years I have been living with the hope that it would be possible to map all the specialist provision around the country for families experiencing violence and abuse from their children. I suppose initially my reasoning was all a bit vague: I suspected there was more work going on than we knew about, but I rather hoped that it would be a way of connecting people and also make my life easier when people contacted me (as they did me and others on a regular basis) asking for help in knowing where to turn.

Over the course of the two years it’s taken to reach this point, the rationale has become more formalised, and a fantastic steering group has supported the work as it transformed into a “proper project” with money and everything. I am now 5 months in to what was originally envisaged as 6 months worth of work. The reality is that it will carry on for a few more months in order to chase up the remaining projects we know about and complete final reports, but the time has come to launch the map. If not now, when!

(screenshot only, see below to access the map)

The software package used at the moment, Community 21, is part of a separate project within Brighton University (CUPP). Using the map you will be able to locate a specialist service by area, or name; and to learn about the model of work offered, methods of referral and any evaluation that as taken place. You will see if anyone can refer or whether it is a service offered internally; any age criteria, and whether the project works with young people only, parents only or both.

So what is it for?

Well, this is the current thinking:

The map will help families and practitioners looking for a service in their area.

The map will enable agencies to network, whether in the development or coordination of services.

The map will enable agencies and practitioners to locate projects which can offer training.

The map will enable commissioners to understand the gaps in provision and to look at the development of services strategically.

Other interested parties will have a fuller picture of what is going on.

What it won’t do:

There is as yet no method of assessing standards of work or quality assurance. Those using the map should understand that it merely indicates the presence of a service and we cannot officially endorse any project.

We have not as yet figured a way of including services that are offered in a different way, for example telephone support from national agencies.

It does not yet include individual practitioners / counselors offering a service to families.

It isn’t 100% comprehensive. At the moment it only covers England and Wales. I know there are services still not included!

How does it Work?

Simply follow this link to the page which shows our project. You will find “our map” and then some information about the project and the people involved. You can zoom in and out on the map to see different parts of England and Wales, and you can do some basic searches by the type and name of the service. Click on the different coloured ‘hexes’ to see a project in detail. The twitter feed @mapping_cpv is there too.

There is still some way to go. The next few months will be spent following up existing leads, and scoping new ones as always. Much of this work takes place through contacts passing on names of colleagues, so all contributions are very welcome. A big question remains as to how to keep the information up to date and relevant. This is particularly an issue when so many services face massive budget cuts or regular renewal of charitable funding.

But finally, we are interested in feedback. If you are able to take a moment to look at the map we would be pleased to hear any comments you have, especially:

Would it be useful to you?

In what way particularly?

Can you immediately identify any issues or changes we could make?

Can you suggest ways of building on what is already there?

Do you have a service that is not yet included?

I cannot end this without a huge vote of thanks to the wonderful Steering Group, which comprises: Dr. Paula Wilcox from University of Brighton, Jo Sharpen of AVA, Dunston Patterson from the YJB, and Julia Worms of Respect. Regular updates will continue as the project completes and reports become available.

One of the things that gives me hope for the growing awareness within mainstream services of the existence and issues around children’s violence to parents, is the growing numbers of students undertaking research as part of their training. Whether it is at first degree level, Masters, PhD or as a Professional Doctorate – across social work youth services, counselling, the police and even journalism – I am now aware of many pieces of research that are either in proposal stage, in progress, or recently completed in Britain alone. While the body of literature is now significantly growing, some of the most interesting pieces in the past have come via this route (in my opinion) and of course then have an immediate relevance and input to the work on the ground. I hope to offer links to completed work where possible, but here’s a taster in the meantime! Continue reading →

The 10thRespect National Practitioners Seminar took place in London last week.

In the morning we were treated to an excellent presentation from Carlene Firmin on her research into peer on peer abuse. Unlike the other presentations, Carlene’s will not be available on the Respect website as the research is still ongoing, but much of her work can be found on her own website, MsUnderstood. There were many points at which she could have been talking about child to parent violence – so many cross overs. I will have to give this some more thought, but to be going on with:

Peer on peer abuse straddles many different concepts and fields and so remains hidden.

The importance and power of friendship groups as young people move into adolescence.

The offer of parenting programmes because that is what is available rather than making a proper assessment of need.

The problems that arise when violence becomes normalised.

Limitations to changing individuals without wider social change.

Issues around child protection and safeguarding.

The overall tone was optimistic however. As we learn more we have more opportunities to intervene earlier. Continue reading →

So this week saw the start of the return series of My Violent Child, the Channel 5 documentary made by Popkorn TV about children’s violence to parents, which first aired in Britain in June 2014. I was tempted to post something in the run up to the first episode (of 3) but decided to watch first before committing myself – always good practice I find! Continue reading →